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Dr. Alykhan Abdulla makes excellent points. We do have to fight to keep our healthcare, and for better quality. It is so true that many essential things must be paid for now. The latest respiratory flu virus shot cost me $278.
I have one disagreement with Dr. Abdulla. I think politicians anhd policymakers have to step up to make our primary healthcare better for both providers and patients.
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The community health centre model found in several locations in Ottawa and elsewhere has a team of health and social service providers on salary in a setting where health managers take care of the paperwork, staff all have paid holidays, maternity leave and pensions. As well, when one retires, another person is hired.
So many of my friends’ doctors are retiring, leaving them without care. I have been under the care of Centretown Community Health Centre for more than 50 years and had excellent care from mainly three family doctors, two of whom have retired, and one on maternity leave. Her replacement is also fantastic.
Medical schools could attract more students to family medicine if students were made aware that they could be working in such agreeable settings. Policymakers have to fund many more of them, and they are cheaper than solo practice healthcare and so much more practical for doctors, nurses and patients.
Patty Deline, Ottawa
System discourages doctors
Re: Celebrate physicians by fighting for quality healthcare, Apr. 30:
Thank you to Dr. Alykhan Abdulla for helping us to recognize the commitment of doctors, especially those in family medicine. The struggle to serve a healthcare system that doesn’t support them is a sacrifice that too many are choosing not to take on. We all lose.
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Lynn Pratt, Ottawa
Positive healthcare experience
We always hear how insufficient our healthcare system is. Here is an example of it working just fine.
Recently an optometrist found something unusual in one of my eyes and referred me to an ophthalmologist. His exam indicated a retina problem and he sent me to a retina specialist. The retinal specialist found several retinal tears and treated me immediately with lasers. All three appointments were done within two weeks. The service with each doctor was excellent. I couldn’t have asked for more.
Thank you to all doctors and their assistants.
Uwe Rutenberg, Ottawa
Newcomers know Canada can’t support them
If even newcomers have figured the immigrant intake of 500,000 annually is far too high, then why not the Trudeau government?
Newcomers are having major problems finding housing and family doctors, with six million Canadians without one. Their children are in very large classes at schools that are having trouble keeping up with demands. They are having serious trouble feeding their families and buying other essentials because of inflation. And of course, they are having difficulties finding suitable jobs to pay their bills.
No wonder for the first time in memory, many immigrants are fleeing Canada.
Larry Comeau, Ottawa
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